Brighton/Bristol band NORMAN have been floating on the periphery as of late. Appearing on line ups with fellow risers Sinead O'Brien, Hotel Lux, Horsey and more, the eclectic foursome have been picked up by the same team as Squid (which is sure to mean big things on the horizon). Birthed from the same Bristolian pub-cum-rehearsal space that's home to satirical noisemakers and TMR faves LICE, 'Songs from the basement, The Old England etc.' is an effectively-titled introduction. After a brief synth opening, NORMAN descend into a disjointed Gang of Four-esque piece called 'NORMAL HAIRCUT' that had us fooled for a while that we were playing two different tracks at the same time. Sliding into the more sombre second track 'CALL ME SENTIMENTAL', eerie organs steal the focus until an unruly sax solo interrupts the gloom. Ending with 'NEW YEAR'S EVE', a spiky jazz-tinged effort that starts like Throbbing Gristle meets The Strokes and ends with a James Chance-y wig out, NORMAN aren't afraid to show off their versatility and it's a breath of fresh air. -Holly Mullineaux